News

All Blacks

Counties named for Log o'Wood defence against Waikato

Counties Manukau Steelers' coaches Tana Umaga and Steve Jackson have made one change to their team to play Waikato in their Ranfurly Shield match at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe on Saturday at 2.35pm.

Prop Simon Lemalu is out this week with a calf strain. He will be replaced by Sam Aiono in the front row with Matt Talaese coming onto the bench.

Coach Tana Umaga said "We have all been impressed by the support we have received over the last few weeks and hope to play in front of a full stadium again."

"Our motivation levels are high - it is another opportunity for us to keep the Ranfurly Shield and Waikato are coming off a good performance, so we need to be consistent."

Match tickets are still available in the Grandstand and on the South Auckland Motors Embankment. Tickets are available from CMRFU ticket box or www.ticketdirect.co.nz.

The day will also feature the reunion of the 1993 Counties team who went from Division two into Division one under coaches Ross Cooper, Bob Lendrum and captain Errol Brain.

There will be an opportunity for some lucky fans to have the chance to win $10,000 cash in the ‘South Auckland Motors Catch the Kick for Cash' promotion at halftime if they catch one of the 5 balls that will be kicked into the crowd.

The curtain raiser match features the Counties Manukau Bs v Auckland B's which kicks off at 12.10pm with gates open at 11.45am.